There are 205 songs, all in English, and many based on short phrases from Scripture, and in particular the Psalms. The book also contains a comprehensive chart of guitar chords.Īrrangements were prepared by Barry Clewett, Bruce McGrail, Ena Thompson, Rod Wallace and Mark Hayes - but the book does not indicate who prepared which one. The song arrangements are mainly for piano, including melody and harmony lines, as well as full guitar chording. 'gather together a wide variety of songs and choruses being sung by congregation of God's people around the world.' It was edited by David and Dale Garrett from Auckland, New Zealand, and the foreword which they wrote says that it attempts to Be still and know that He is God.This book was published in 1979 as a follow-up to the Songs of Praise book which was released in 1971. Acknowledge that He is God and that He is exalted in the earth. When life gets overwhelming and busyness takes precedence, remember Psalm 46:1, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Run to Him, lay down your weapons and fall into His arms. When we are still and surrendered to God, we find peace even when the earth gives way, the mountains fall (verse 2), or the nations go into an uproar and kingdoms fall (verse 6). Judah did not need Egyptian might they needed reliance on the Lord: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength” (Isaiah 30:15). During Isaiah’s time, Judah looked for help from the Egyptians, even though God warned against it. It was tempting for the nation of Israel to align with foreign powers, and God reminds them that ultimately He is exalted! God wins, and He will bring peace. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. Acknowledging God implies that we can trust Him and surrender to His plan because we understand who He is. Know in this instance means “to properly ascertain by seeing” and “acknowledge, be aware.” How does acknowledging God impact our stillness? We know that He is omniscient (all-knowing), omnipresent (present everywhere), omnipotent (all-powerful), holy, sovereign, faithful, infinite, and good. Exodus 14:13) for God’s enemies, being “still” would mean ceasing to fight a battle they cannot win. For God’s people being “still” would involve looking to the Lord for their help (cf. Christians often interpret the command to “be still” as “to be quiet in God’s presence.” While quietness is certainly helpful, the phrase means to stop frantic activity, to let down, and to be still.

It is only after the fighting has stopped that the warriors can acknowledge their trust in God. The word still is a translation of the Hebrew word rapa, meaning “to slacken, let down, or cease.” In some instances, the word carries the idea of “to drop, be weak, or faint.” It connotes two people fighting until someone separates them and makes them drop their weapons. This is a call for those involved in the war to stop fighting, to be still. However, God’s voice comes through in verse 10, and the Lord speaks in the first person: “Be still, and know that I am God I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”īe still. Notice that the majority of the psalm is written in the third person as the psalmist speaks about God. He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.’ The LORD Almighty is with us the God of Jacob is our fortress.” He breaks the bow and shatters the spear he burns the shields with fire. He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. Come and see what the LORD has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth. The LORD Almighty is with us the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall he lifts his voice, the earth melts. God is within her, she will not fall God will help her at break of day.

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. While the threat the psalmist faced is not mentioned specifically, it seems to relate to the pagan nations and a call for God to end the raging war. This verse comes from a longer section of Scripture that proclaims the power and security of God.

Be still and know scripture